The sun is out and the beach is calling your name! Grab your towel, shades, sunscreen, and a perfect book, then hit the sand. Keep your younger readers engaged during the summer with some exciting reads as well. Remember to write all their books down so they can rack up library rewards with the Summer Reading Program at your local library.
Ages 5-8
The Zach & Zoe Mysteries: The Half-Court Hero by Mike Lupica
There’s nothing eight-year-old twins Zach and Zoe Walker love more than playing sports and solving mysteries. When the twins start a summer basketball league at their local park, they notice the once rundown court is getting freshened up each day. First new nets, then the benches have been completely restored. But who’s behind it? Zach and Zoe are on the case!
Llama Llama Loves to Read by Anna Dewdney
Though this book may be a little younger than this age group, it is a perfect book for big brother or big sister to read to a younger sibling. Llama Llama is growing up and learning to read! Throughout the school day, the teacher helps Llama Llama and the other children practice their letters, shows word cards, reads stories, and brings them to the library where they can all choose a favorite book.
Ages 9-12
Nicola Berry and the Petrifying Problem with Princess Petronella by Liane Moriarty
Nicola Berry’s life is turned upside down the day a man from another planet comes to Earth on a strange mission. He’s looking for somebody to travel back to his home planet and convince the princess not to turn Earth into her planet’s giant garbage dump. When Nicola is chosen as the Earthling Ambassador, she’s not sure that she’s up to the task.
Evangeline of the Bayou by Jan Eldredge
Twelve-year-old haunt huntress apprentice Evangeline Clement spends her days and nights studying the ways of folk magic, honing her monster-hunting skills while pursuing local bayou banshees. To finally be declared a true haunt huntress, the only thing left to do is prove to the council she has heart. But when Evangeline and her grandmother are called to New Orleans to resolve an unusual case, she uncovers a dark secret.
Ages 13-17
The Lost Kids by Sara Saedi
In this sequel to Never Ever, Wylie was living on Minor Island where nobody ages past 17, and in love with Phinn, the island’s leader. Now, she is cast off and dead-set on getting revenge on Phinn for his betrayal. But when she and her friends return to their former paradise, they’re stunned to find that their once-secret island is no longer a secret, and that a much bigger enemy is after Phinn.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Jude has been raised in Faerieland by Madoc, the faerie who murdered her parents. This realm is filled with beautiful, blood-thirsty, playful, and powerful faeries who seem to have no use for humans beyond enslaving them with magic. Despite this, Jude is determined to earn respect and a place by becoming a knight. But Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King, despises humans, and threatens her plan.
Ages 18 and Up
The Leavers by Lisa Ko
One morning, Deming Guo’s mother, Polly, an undocumented Chinese immigrant, goes to her job at a nail salon–and never comes home. No one can find her. With his mother gone, 11-year-old Deming is full of grief. Eventually adopted by white professors, Deming is moved from the Bronx to a small town upstate and renamed Daniel Wilkinson. Daniel struggles to fit in while remembering his mother and the community he left behind.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
This may not be a new book, but it is totally worth the read. In South America, a wealthy international businessman’s birthday party is invaded by a local militant group, and a hostage situation occurs. Over months, characters learn that music is their only common language. Patchett balances themes of love and human connection among the tensions of an international crisis.
